| Kozy World KWN191 18,000-BTU Vent-Free Natural-Gas Infrared Wall Heater |
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Overall Rating: |
| Retail Price: $149.00 |
| Amazon Price: $123.90 |
Model Types
The type of gas space heater you need depend on the space you need to heat. For example, you may need a to heat a room or a small space. The four types of gas space heaters are: radiant heaters, forced-air convection heaters, natural convection heaters, and radiators. A radiant heater heats the area in immediate proximity of the heater, but does not heat an entire room. Radiant heaters release infrared radiation that warms the area directly in front of the unit and do not quickly heat a room. They are, however, quiet and efficient. Both types of convection heaters use metal or ceramic heating elements to warm the air and then release it into the room. The forced-air convection type uses a fan to blow the warm are into the room, while a natural convection unit uses the natural flow of air to release it upward. The difference between the two is really whether you want the room heated quickly or not and whether the sound of the fan will bother you. Finally, a radiator space heater heats oil in an enclosed reservoir and gradually heats a room. Like a natural convection unit, a radiator does not heat a room quickly, but is quiet.
How Powerful
When selecting a gas space heater, you should also consider how much heat you need. British Thermal Units, or BTU, are used to rate gas space heaters. A BTU equals the amount of heat required to heat a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. To calculate how many BTU you require, fist determine the volume of the space. Do this by multiplying the square footage by the height of the space. Second, consider the insulation of the room. A well-insulated space would be rated four, while a space with less insulation would be three, and a poorly-insulated space would be two. Take the insulation rating and multiply it by the volume of the room. The result is the number of BTU you need. Or, if you know the wattage of an electric heat source for the same space, multiply the wattage by 3.4 to determine the equivalent BTUs. As a general rule, a 10,000 BTU unit will produce the same amount of heat as an electric heater of 2,900 watts.
Fuel Types
Another factor to consider is the fuel type. Generally, gas space heaters use propane, kerosene, or natural gas. In addition to cost and availability, you want to consider how the fuel burns. For example, propane burns clean and odorless, while kerosene produces an odor. Burning fuel produces carbon monoxide, so be sure to use a gas space heater with a ventilation system and never use one in a small, enclosed area. If you will use the gas space heater in your home, be sure to install a carbon monoxide detector.
Safety Concerns
To truly benefit from a gas space heater, make sure that you use it safely. It must be installed at least three feet from anything flammable and the heating element should be enclosed. Some models include safety functions such as an automatic shutoff that turns the unit off if it is overturned. All space heaters should be out of reach of children and pets and should not be left running unattended. Nor should space heaters be used when sleeping. Finally, always closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation and use.
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